Carrier for single molecule detection

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a carrier for single molecule detection. The carrier includes a substrate and a metal layer on the substrate, wherein the substrate includes a base and a patterned bulge located on a surface of the base, the patterned bulge includes a number of strip-shaped bulges intersected with each other to form a net and define a number of holes, and the metal layer is located on the patterned bulge. The carrier for single molecule detection has a relative higher SERS and can enhance the Raman scattering.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 fromChina Patent Application No. 201610509703.6, filed on Jul. 1, 2016, inthe China Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

This application is related to applications entitled, “METHOD FOR MAKINGCARRIER FOR SINGLE MOLECULE DETECTION”, filed **** (Atty. Docket No.US60242), “METHOD FOR DETECTING SINGLE MOLECULE”, filed **** (Atty.Docket No. US60244), and “DEVICE FOR SINGLE MOLECULE DETECTION”, filed**** (Atty. Docket No. US60762).

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a carrier for single moleculedetection, a method for making the same, and a method for using the sameto detect single molecules.

2. Description of Related Art

Raman spectroscopy is widely used for single molecule detection.

A method for detecting single molecules using Raman spectroscopy isprovided. An aggregated silver particle film is coated on a surface of aglass substrate. A number of single molecule samples are disposed on theaggregated silver particle film. A laser irradiation is supplied to thesingle molecule samples by a Raman detection system to cause a Ramanscattering and produce a Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectroscopy isreceived by a sensor and analyzed by a computer. However, the surface ofthe glass substrate is usually smooth. Thus, the Raman scattering signalis not strong enough and the resolution of the single molecule isrelatively low. Therefore, the glass substrate coated with aggregatedsilver particle film is not suitable for detecting low concentrationsingle molecule samples.

What is needed, therefore, is a carrier for single molecule detectionthat overcomes the problems as discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a schematic section view of one embodiment of a carrier forsingle molecule detection.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, along a line II-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of a substrate ofthe carrier for single molecule detection of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged image of the SEM image of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for making thecarrier for single molecule detection of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI of a carbon nanotubecomposite structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an SEM image of a drawn carbon nanotube film of oneembodiment.

FIG. 8 is an SEM image of an untwisted carbon nanotube wire of oneembodiment.

FIG. 9 is an SEM image of a twisted carbon nanotube wire of oneembodiment.

FIG. 10 is an SEM image of a carbon nanotube composite structure of oneembodiment.

FIG. 11 is an SEM image of a single carbon nanotube coated with analumina (Al₂O₃) layer.

FIG. 12 is a top view SEM image of the carrier for single moleculedetection made by the method of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view SEM image of the carrier for singlemolecule detection made by the method of FIG. 5.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for detectingsingle molecules.

FIG. 15 is a Raman spectroscopy of Rhodamine molecules obtained by themethod for detecting single molecules of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a schematic section view of another embodiment of a carrierfor single molecule detection.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for making thecarrier for single molecule detection of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a schematic section view of another embodiment of a carrierfor single molecule detection.

FIG. 19 is a schematic section view of another embodiment of a devicefor single molecule detection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among thedifferent figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, itwill be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments described herein can be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components havenot been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevantfeature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, andthe proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated better illustratedetails and features. The description is not to considered as limitingthe scope of the embodiments described herein.

Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now bepresented. The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directlyor indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarilylimited to physical connections. The connection can be such that theobjects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term“outside” refers to a region that is beyond the outermost confines of aphysical object. The term “inside” indicates that at least a portion ofa region is partially contained within a boundary formed by the object.The term “substantially” is defined to essentially conforming to theparticular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies,such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantiallycylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have oneor more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “comprising” means“including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicatesopen-ended inclusion or membership in a so-described combination, group,series and the like. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one”embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the sameembodiment, and such references mean at least one.

References will now be made to the drawings to describe, in detail,various embodiments of the present carrier for single moleculedetection, a method for making the same, and a method for using the sameto detect single molecules.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a carrier 10 for single molecule detection ofone embodiment is provided. The carrier 10 comprises a substrate 12 anda metal layer 14 located on the substrate 12. The substrate 12 comprisesa base 120 and a patterned bulge 122 located on a surface of the base120. The patterned bulge 122 comprises a plurality of strip-shapedbulges 125 intersected with each other to form a net and define aplurality of holes 124. In one embodiment, the plurality of strip-shapedbulges 125 is an intergrated structure as shown in FIGS. 3-4. The metallayer 14 is located on surfaces of the patterned bulge 122. The carrier10 for single molecule detection has a relative higher SERS and canenhance the Raman scattering.

The substrate 12 can be an insulative substrate or a semiconductorsubstrate. The substrate 12 can be made of a material such as glass,quartz, silicon (Si), silicon dioxide (SiO₂), silicon nitride (Si₃N₄),gallium nitride (GaN), gallium arsenide (GaAs), alumina, or magnesia(MgO). The size and thickness of the substrate 12 can be selectedaccording to need. In one embodiment, the substrate 12 is a siliconwafer.

The patterned bulge 122 and the base 120 can have the same material ordifferent materials. In one embodiment, the patterned bulge 122 and thebase 120 are an intergrated structure. The patterned bulge 122 can belocated on a single surface or two opposite surfaces of the base 120.Each of the plurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 has a length less thanor equal to the width of length of the base 120. The plurality ofstrip-shaped bulges 125 comprises a plurality of first strip-shapedbulges 126 and a plurality of second strip-shaped bulges 127. Theplurality of first strip-shaped bulges 126 are substantially parallelwith each other and extends along the first direction, and the pluralityof second strip-shaped bulges 127 are substantially parallel with eachother and extends along the second direction different from the firstdirection. The angle between the first direction and the seconddirection is greater than 0 degrees an less than or equal to 90 degrees.In one embodiment, the angle between the first direction and the seconddirection is greater than 30 degrees.

The width of the plurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 can be in a rangefrom about 20 nanometers to about 150 nanometers. In one embodiment, thewidth of the plurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 can be in a range fromabout 20 nanometers to about 100 nanometers. In one embodiment, thewidth of the plurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 can be in a range fromabout 20 nanometers to about 50 nanometers. The distance betweenadjacent two of the plurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 can be in arange from about 10 nanometers to about 300 nanometers. In oneembodiment, the distance between adjacent two of the plurality ofstrip-shaped bulges 125 can be in a range from about 10 nanometers toabout 100 nanometers. In one embodiment, the distance between adjacenttwo of the plurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 can be in a range fromabout 10 nanometers to about 50 nanometers. The height of the pluralityof strip-shaped bulges 125 can be in a range from about 50 nanometers toabout 1000 nanometers. In one embodiment, the height of the plurality ofstrip-shaped bulges 125 can be in a range from about 500 nanometers toabout 1000 nanometers. The average diameter of the plurality of holes124 can be in a range from about 10 nanometers to about 300 nanometers,and the depth of the plurality of holes 124 can be in a range from about50 nanometers to about 1000 nanometers. In one embodiment, the ratiobetween the depth and the average diameter is greater than 5. In oneembodiment, the ratio between the depth and the average diameter isgreater than 10.

The metal layer 14 can be located on both top and side surfaces of theplurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 and bottom surfaces of theplurality of holes 124. The metal layer 14 can be a continuous structureand covers the entire surface of the substrate 12. The metal layer 14can also be a discontinuous structure. The metal layer 14 can be asingle-layer or a multi-layer structure. The thickness of the metallayer 14 can be in a range from about 2 nanometers to about 200nanometers. The material of the metal layer 14 can be gold, silver,copper, iron, nickel, aluminum, or any alloy thereof. The metal layer 14can be uniformly deposited on the surface of the substrate 12 by amethod of electron beam evaporation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), orsputtering. In one embodiment, the metal layer 14 is a gold layer with athickness of about 20 nanometers.

Referring to FIGS. 5-6, a method for making the carrier 10 of oneembodiment includes the following steps:

step (S10), providing the substrate 12;

step (S20), providing a carbon nanotube composite structure 110, whereinthe carbon nanotube composite structure 110 includes a plurality ofintersected carbon nanotubes and defines a plurality of openings 116;

step (S30), placing the carbon nanotube composite structure 110 on asurface 121 of the substrate 12, wherein parts of the surface 121 areexposed from the plurality of openings 116;

step (S40), forming the patterned bulge 122 on the surface 121 by dryetching the surface 121 using the carbon nanotube composite structure110 as a first mask, wherein the patterned bulge 122 includes aplurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 intersected with each other;

step (S50), removing the carbon nanotube composite structure 110; and

step (S60), applying a metal layer 14 on the patterned bulge 122.

In step (S10), the material of the substrate 12 is not limited and canbe metal, insulating material or semiconductor. The metal can be gold,aluminum, nickel, chromium, or copper. The insulating material can besilicon dioxide or silicon nitride. The semiconductor can be silicon,gallium nitride, or gallium arsenide. In one embodiment, the material ofthe substrate 12 is a gallium nitride layer with a thickness of 300micrometers.

In step (S20), the carbon nanotube composite structure 110 includes acarbon nanotube structure 112 and a protective layer 114 coated on thecarbon nanotube structure 112 as shown in FIG. 6. The carbon nanotubestructure 112 is a free-standing structure. The term “free-standingstructure” includes that the carbon nanotube structure 112 can sustainthe weight of itself when it is hoisted by a portion thereof without anysignificant damage to its structural integrity. Thus, the carbonnanotube structure 112 can be suspended by two spaced supports.

The plurality of carbon nanotubes can be single-walled carbon nanotubes,double-walled carbon nanotubes, or multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Thelength and diameter of the plurality of carbon nanotubes can be selectedaccording to need. The diameter of the single-walled carbon nanotubescan be in a range from about 0.5 nanometers to about 10 nanometers. Thediameter of the double-walled carbon nanotubes can be in a range fromabout 1.0 nanometer to about 15 nanometers. The diameter of themulti-walled carbon nanotubes can be in a range from about 1.5nanometers to about 50 nanometers. In one embodiment, the length of thecarbon nanotubes can be in a range from about 200 micrometers to about900 micrometers.

The plurality of carbon nanotubes are orderly arranged to form anordered carbon nanotube structure. The plurality of carbon nanotubesextend along a direction substantially parallel to the surface of thecarbon nanotube structure 112. The term ‘ordered carbon nanotubestructure’ includes, but is not limited to, a structure wherein theplurality of carbon nanotubes are arranged in a consistently systematicmanner, e.g., the plurality of carbon nanotubes are arrangedapproximately along the same direction.

The carbon nanotube structure 112 defines a plurality of apertures. Theaperture extends throughout the carbon nanotube structure 112 along thethickness direction thereof. The aperture can be a hole defined byseveral adjacent carbon nanotubes, or a gap defined by two substantiallyparallel carbon nanotubes and extending along axial direction of thecarbon nanotubes. The hole shaped aperture and the gap shaped aperturecan exist in the carbon nanotube structure 112 at the same time.Hereafter, the size of the aperture is the diameter of the hole or widthof the gap. The sizes of the apertures can be different. The averagesize of the apertures can be in a range from about 10 nanometers toabout 500 micrometers. For example, the sizes of the apertures can beabout 50 nanometers, 100 nanometers, 500 nanometers, 1 micrometer, 10micrometers, 80 micrometers, or 120 micrometers.

The carbon nanotube structure 112 can include at least one carbonnanotube film, at least one carbon nanotube wire, or combinationthereof. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube structure 112 caninclude a single carbon nanotube film or two or more carbon nanotubefilms stacked together. Thus, the thickness of the carbon nanotubestructure 112 can be controlled by the number of the stacked carbonnanotube films. The number of the stacked carbon nanotube films can bein a range from about 2 to about 100. For example, the number of thestacked carbon nanotube films can be 10, 30, or 50. In one embodiment,the carbon nanotube structure 112 is formed by folding a single carbonnanotube wire. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube structure 112 caninclude a layer of parallel and spaced carbon nanotube wires. Also, thecarbon nanotube structure 112 can include a plurality of carbon nanotubewires intersected or weaved together to form a carbon nanotube net. Thedistance between two adjacent parallel and spaced carbon nanotube wirescan be in a range from about 0.1 micrometers to about 200 micrometers.In one embodiment, the distance between two adjacent parallel and spacedcarbon nanotube wires is in a range from about 10 micrometers to about100 micrometers. The gap between two adjacent substantially parallelcarbon nanotube wires is defined as the apertures. The size of theapertures can be controlled by controlling the distance between twoadjacent parallel and spaced carbon nanotube wires. The length of thegap between two adjacent parallel carbon nanotube wires can be equal tothe length of the carbon nanotube wire. It is understood that any carbonnanotube structure described can be used with all embodiments.

In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube structure 112 includes at leastone drawn carbon nanotube film. The drawn carbon nanotube film can bedrawn from a carbon nanotube array that is able to have a film drawntherefrom. The drawn carbon nanotube film includes a plurality ofsuccessive and oriented carbon nanotubes joined end-to-end by van derWaals attractive force therebetween. The drawn carbon nanotube film is afree-standing film. Referring to FIG. 7, each drawn carbon nanotube filmincludes a plurality of successively oriented carbon nanotube segmentsjoined end-to-end by van der Waals attractive force therebetween. Eachcarbon nanotube segment includes a plurality of carbon nanotubesparallel to each other, and combined by van der Waals attractive forcetherebetween. As can be seen in FIG. 7, some variations can occur in thedrawn carbon nanotube film. The carbon nanotubes in the drawn carbonnanotube film are oriented along a preferred orientation. The drawncarbon nanotube film can be treated with an organic solvent to increasethe mechanical strength and toughness and reduce the coefficient offriction of the drawn carbon nanotube film. A thickness of the drawncarbon nanotube film can range from about 0.5 nanometers to about 100micrometers. The drawn carbon nanotube film defines a plurality ofapertures between adjacent carbon nanotubes.

The carbon nanotube structure 112 can include at least two stacked drawncarbon nanotube films. In other embodiments, the carbon nanotubestructure 112 can include two or more coplanar carbon nanotube films,and can include layers of coplanar carbon nanotube films. Additionally,when the carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube film are aligned alongone preferred orientation (e.g., the drawn carbon nanotube film), anangle can exist between the orientation of carbon nanotubes in adjacentfilms, whether stacked or adjacent. Adjacent carbon nanotube films canbe combined by only the van der Waals attractive force therebetween. Anangle between the aligned directions of the carbon nanotubes in twoadjacent carbon nanotube films can range from about 0 degrees to about90 degrees. When the angle between the aligned directions of the carbonnanotubes in adjacent stacked drawn carbon nanotube films is larger than0 degrees, a plurality of micropores is defined by the carbon nanotubestructure 112. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube structure 112 hasthe aligned directions of the carbon nanotubes between adjacent stackeddrawn carbon nanotube films at 90 degrees. Stacking the carbon nanotubefilms will also add to the structural integrity of the carbon nanotubestructure 112.

The carbon nanotube wire can be untwisted or twisted. Treating the drawncarbon nanotube film with a volatile organic solvent can form theuntwisted carbon nanotube wire. Specifically, the organic solvent isapplied to soak the entire surface of the drawn carbon nanotube film.During the soaking, adjacent parallel carbon nanotubes in the drawncarbon nanotube film will bundle together, due to the surface tension ofthe organic solvent as it volatilizes, and thus, the drawn carbonnanotube film will be shrunk into an untwisted carbon nanotube wire.Referring to FIG. 8, the untwisted carbon nanotube wire includes aplurality of carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along the samedirection (i.e., a direction along the length of the untwisted carbonnanotube wire). The carbon nanotubes are substantially parallel to theaxis of the untwisted carbon nanotube wire. More specifically, theuntwisted carbon nanotube wire includes a plurality of successive carbonnanotube segments joined end to end by van der Waals attractive forcetherebetween. Each carbon nanotube segment includes a plurality ofcarbon nanotubes substantially parallel to each other, and combined byvan der Waals attractive force therebetween. The carbon nanotubesegments can vary in width, thickness, uniformity, and shape. The lengthof the untwisted carbon nanotube wire can be arbitrarily set as desired.A diameter of the untwisted carbon nanotube wire ranges from about 0.5nanometers to about 100 micrometers.

The twisted carbon nanotube wire can be formed by twisting a drawncarbon nanotube film using a mechanical force to turn the two ends ofthe drawn carbon nanotube film in opposite directions. Referring to FIG.9, the twisted carbon nanotube wire includes a plurality of carbonnanotubes helically oriented around an axial direction of the twistedcarbon nanotube wire. More specifically, the twisted carbon nanotubewire includes a plurality of successive carbon nanotube segments joinedend to end by van der Waals attractive force therebetween. Each carbonnanotube segment includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes parallel toeach other, and combined by van der Waals attractive force therebetween.The length of the carbon nanotube wire can be set as desired. A diameterof the twisted carbon nanotube wire can be from about 0.5 nanometers toabout 100 micrometers. Further, the twisted carbon nanotube wire can betreated with a volatile organic solvent after being twisted to bundlethe adjacent paralleled carbon nanotubes together. The specific surfacearea of the twisted carbon nanotube wire will decrease, while thedensity and strength of the twisted carbon nanotube wire will increase.

The carbon nanotube composite structure 110 can be made by applying aprotective layer 114 on a surface of the carbon nanotube structure 112.The carbon nanotube structure 112 can be suspended in a depositingchamber during depositing the protective layer 114 so that two oppositesurfaces of the carbon nanotube structure 112 are coated with theprotective layer 114. In some embodiments, each of the plurality ofcarbon nanotubes is fully enclosed by the protective layer 114. In oneembodiment, the carbon nanotube structure 112 is located on a frame sothat the middle portion of the carbon nanotube structure 112 issuspended through the through hole of the frame. The frame can be anyshape, such as a quadrilateral. The carbon nanotube structure 112 canalso be suspended by a metal mesh or metal ring.

The method of depositing the protective layer 114 can be physical vapordeposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), atomic layerdeposition (ALD), magnetron sputtering, or spraying.

The plurality of openings 116 are formed because of the plurality ofapertures of the carbon nanotube structure 112. The plurality ofopenings 116 and the plurality of apertures have the same shape anddifferent size. The size of the plurality of openings 116 is smallerthan that of the plurality of apertures because the protective layer 114is deposited in the plurality of apertures.

The thickness of the protective layer 114 is in a range from about 3nanometers to about 50 nanometers. In one embodiment, the thickness ofthe protective layer 114 is in a range from about 3 nanometers to about20 nanometers. If the thickness of the protective layer 114 is less than3 nanometers, the protective layer 114 cannot prevent the carbonnanotubes from being destroyed in following etching process. If thethickness of the protective layer 114 is greater than 50 nanometers, theplurality of apertures may be fully filled by the protective layer 114and the plurality of openings 116 cannot be obtained.

The material of the protective layer 114 can be metal, metal oxide,metal nitride, metal carbide, metal sulfide, silicon oxide, siliconnitride, or silicon carbide. The metal can be gold, nickel, titanium,iron, aluminum, titanium, chromium, or alloy thereof. The metal oxidecan be alumina, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, or hafnium oxide. Thematerial of the protective layer 114 is not limited above and can be anymaterial as long as the material can be deposited on the carbon nanotubestructure 112, would not react with the carbon nanotubes and would notbe etched easily in following drying etching process. The protectivelayer 114 is combined with the carbon nanotube structure 112 by van derWaals attractive force therebetween only.

As shown in FIG. 10, in one embodiment, an alumina layer of 5 nanometersthickness is deposited on two stacked drawn carbon nanotube films byelectron beam evaporation. As shown in FIG. 11, each of the carbonnanotubes is entirely coated by the alumina layer. The aligned directionof the carbon nanotubes between adjacent stacked drawn carbon nanotubefilms is 90 degrees.

In step (S30), the carbon nanotube composite structure 110 can be indirect contact with the surface 121 of the substrate 12 or suspendedabove the surface 121 of the substrate 12 by a support. In oneembodiment, the carbon nanotube composite structure 110 is transferredon the surface 121 of the substrate 12 through the frame.

In one embodiment, the placing the carbon nanotube composite structure110 on the surface 121 further comprises solvent treating the substrate12 with the carbon nanotube composite structure 110 thereon. Becausethere is air between the carbon nanotube composite structure 110 and thesurface 121 of the substrate 12, the solvent treating can exhaust theair and allow the carbon nanotube composite structure 110 to be closelyand firmly adhered on the surface 121 of the substrate 12. The solventtreating can be applying a solvent to entire surface of the carbonnanotube composite structure 110 or immersing the entire substrate 12with the carbon nanotube composite structure 110 in a solvent. Thesolvent can be water or volatile organic solvent such as ethanol,methanol, acetone, dichloroethane, chloroform, or mixtures thereof. Inone embodiment, the organic solvent is ethanol.

In the step (S40), the dry etching can be plasma etching or reactive ionetching (RIE). In one embodiment, the dry etching is performed byapplying plasma energy on the entire or part surface of the surface 121via a plasma device. The plasma gas can be an inert gas and/or etchinggases, such as argon (Ar), helium (He), chlorine (Cl₂), hydrogen (H₂),oxygen (O₂), fluorocarbon (CF₄), ammonia (NH₃), or air.

In one embodiment, the plasma gas is a mixture of chlorine and argon.The power of the plasma device can be in a range from about 20 watts toabout 70 watts. The plasma flow of chlorine can be in a range from about5 sccm to about 20 sccm, such as 10 sccm. The plasma flow of argon canbe in a range from about 15 sccm to about 40 sccm, such as 25 sccm. Whenthe plasma is produced in vacuum, the work pressure of the plasma can bein a range from about 3 Pa to 10 Pa, such as 6 Pa. The time for plasmaetching can be in a range from about 10 seconds to about 20 seconds,such as 15 seconds.

In the plasma etching process, the plasma gas would react with theexposed portion of the substrate 12 and would not react with theprotective layer 114, or reaction between the plasma gas and theprotective layer 114 is much slower than reaction between the plasma gasand the substrate 12. The selection relationship of the plasma gas,material of the substrate 12 and material of the protective layer 114 isshown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Number Substrate protective layer Plasma gas 1 Al SiO₂ Cl₂ orBCl₃ 2 SiO₂ Al, Cr, Fe, Ti, Ni, or Au CF₄ 3 SiN_(Y) Al, Cr, Fe, Ti, Ni,or Au CF₄ 4 GaN Al₂O₃ Cl₂ or Ar₂ 5 Au, Cr or Ni SiO₂ or SiN_(X) O₂ orAr₂ 6 Cu SiO₂ or SiN_(Y) O₂ or BCl₃

In the etching process, the etching gas reacts with the substrate 12,but does not react with the protective layer 114 or react with theprotective layer 114 at a speed much less than that of the reactionbetween the etching gas and the substrate 12. Thus, the exposed portionof the substrate 12 would be etched gradually and the portion of thesubstrate 12 that are shielded by the carbon nanotube compositestructure 110 would not be etched.

The patterned bulge 122 and the carbon nanotube composite structure 110substantially have the same pattern. When the carbon nanotube structure112 includes a plurality of intersected drawn carbon nanotube films, thepatterned bulge 122 includes a plurality of strip-shaped bulges 125intersected with each other to form a net structure as shown in FIG. 3.

The plurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 can have a width in a rangefrom about 20 nanometers to about 150 nanometers, a distance in a rangefrom about 10 nanometers to about 300 nanometers, and a height in arange from about 50 nanometers to about 1000 nanometers.

After coating with the protective layer 114, the diameter of the carbonnanotubes are about tens of nanometers, and distance between adjacenttwo carbon nanotubes are about tens of nanometers. Thus, the width anddistance of the plurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 are also tens ofnanometers, and the average diameter of the plurality of hole 124 arealso tens of nanometers. The density of the strip-shaped bulges 125 andthe hole 124 would be increased. For example, when both the width anddistance of the plurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 are 20 nanometers,the number of the strip-shaped bulges 125 and the hole 124 would be 50within 1 micrometer. The conventional photolithography method cannotmake all the strip-shaped bulges in nano-scale and obtain this densitydue to the resolution limitation. At the gap between two adjacent theplurality of strip-shaped bulges 125, a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)is produced on a surface of the metal layer 14 so that thesurface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of the carrier 10 will beoutstandingly enhanced. The enhancement factor of SERS of the carrier 10can be in a range from about 10⁵ to about 10¹⁵. In one embodiment, theenhancement factor of SERS of the carrier 10 is about 10¹⁰.

In step (S50), the method of removing the carbon nanotube compositestructure 110 can be ultrasonic method, or adhesive tape peeling,oxidation. In one embodiment, the substrate 12 with the carbon nanotubecomposite structure 110 thereon is placed in an N-methyl pyrrolidonesolution and ultrasonic treating for several minutes.

In step (S60), the metal layer 14 can be deposited on the patternedbulge 122 by a method of electron beam evaporation, ion beam sputtering,atomic layer deposition, magnetron sputtering, thermal vapor deposition,or chemical vapor deposition. The thickness of the metal layer 14 can bein a range from about 2 nanometers to about 200 nanometers. The materialof the metal layer 14 can be gold, silver, copper, iron, nickel,aluminum or alloy thereof. In one embodiment, the metal layer 14 is agold layer with a thickness of about 20 nanometers. As shown in FIG. 12,the gold layer covers entire surfaces of the patterned bulge 122. Asshown in FIG. 13, the gold layer is in direct contact with the bottomsurfaces of the hole.

Referring to FIG. 14, a method for detecting single molecule of oneembodiment includes the following steps:

step (S11), providing the carrier 10, wherein the carrier 100 comprisinga substrate 12 and a metal layer 14 located on the substrate 12, thesubstrate 12 comprises a base 120 and a patterned bulge 122 located on asurface of the base 120, the patterned bulge 122 comprises a pluralityof strip-shaped bulges 125 intersected with each other to form a net anddefine a number of holes 124, and the metal layer 14 is located on thepatterned bulge 122;

step (S12), disposing single molecule samples 16 on a surface of themetal layer 14; and

step (S13), detecting the single molecule samples 16 with a detector.

In step (S12), the disposing single molecule samples 16 includes thefollowing sub-steps:

step (121): providing a single molecule sample solution;

step (122): immersing the carrier 10 into the single molecule samplesolution; and

step (123): drawing the carrier 10 out of the single molecule samplesolution.

In step (121), the molecular concentration of the single molecule samplesolution can be in a range from about 10⁻⁷ mmol/L to about 10⁻¹² mmol/L.In one embodiment, the molecular concentration of the single moleculesample solution is about 10⁻¹⁰ mmol/L.

In step (122), the carrier 10 is kept in the single molecule samplesolution for a time from about 2 minutes to about 60 minutes so that thesingle molecule samples can be dispersed on the metal layer 14uniformly. In one embodiment, the carrier 10 is kept in the singlemolecule sample solution for about 10 minutes.

In step (123), the carrier 10 is rinsed in water or ethanol for about 5times to about 15 times and dried after being drawn out of the singlemolecule sample solution.

In step (13), a Raman Spectroscopy system is used to detect the singlemolecule samples 16. In one embodiment, the Raman Spectroscopy systemhas an excitation source of He—Ne, an excitation wavelength of 633nanometers, an excitation time of 10 seconds, a device power of 9.0 mW,and a working power of 9.0 mW×0.05×1. In one embodiment, Rhodaminesingle molecule samples 16 of 10⁻⁶ g/100 ml are disposed on the carrier10 and radiated by the Raman Spectroscopy system for about 20 seconds.FIG. 15 shows a Raman spectroscopy of Rhodamine molecules using thecarrier 10.

Referring to FIG. 16, a carrier 10A for single molecule detection ofanother embodiment is provided. The carrier 10A comprises a substrate 12and a metal layer 14 located on the substrate 12. The substrate 12comprises a base 120 and a patterned bulge 122 located on a surface ofthe base 120. The patterned bulge 122 comprises a plurality ofstrip-shaped bulges 125 intersected with each other to form a net anddefine a plurality of holes 124. The metal layer 14 is located onsurfaces of the patterned bulge 122.

The carrier 10A is similar to the carrier 10 above except that the metallayer 14 is a discontinuous structure. The metal layer 14 is onlylocated on side surfaces of the plurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 andbottom surfaces of the plurality of holes 124. The top surfaces of theplurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 are free of any metal layer.Alternatively, the metal layer 14 can be only located on bottom surfacesof the plurality of holes 124, and the top and side surfaces of theplurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 are free of any metal layer.

Referring to FIG. 17, a method for making the carrier 10A of oneembodiment includes the following steps:

step (S10A), placing the carbon nanotube composite structure 110 on asurface 121 of the substrate 12, wherein parts of the surface 121 areexposed from the plurality of openings 116;

step (S20A), forming the patterned bulge 122 on the surface 121 by dryetching the surface 121 using the carbon nanotube composite structure110 as a first mask, wherein the patterned bulge 122 includes aplurality of strip-shaped bulges 125 intersected with each other;

step (S30A), applying the metal layer 14 on the patterned bulge 122 sothat the metal layer 14 entirely covers both the patterned bulge 122 andthe carbon nanotube composite structure 110; and

step (S40A), removing the carbon nanotube composite structure 110.

The method for making the carrier 10A is similar to the method formaking the carrier 10 above except the carbon nanotube compositestructure 110 is removed after applying the metal layer 14 on thepatterned bulge 122. In step (S30A), a first parts of the metal layer 14are located on the surface of the carbon nanotube composite structure110, and a second parts of the metal layer 14 are located on the sidesurfaces of the patterned bulge 122 and the bottom surfaces of theplurality of holes 124. In step (S40A), the first parts of the metallayer 14 are removed together with the carbon nanotube compositestructure 110. Thus, a discontinuous metal layer 14 is obtained. Thecarbon nanotube composite structure 110 is used as a mask both foretching the surface 121 and depositing the metal layer 14. The cost isrelatively lower and the efficiency is relatively higher. In oneembodiment, the carrier 10A is also used to detect single molecule.

Referring to FIG. 18, a carrier 10B for single molecule detection ofanother embodiment is provided. The carrier 10B comprises a substrate 12and a metal layer 14 located on the substrate 12. The substrate 12comprises a base 120 and a patterned bulge 122 located on a surface ofthe base 120. The patterned bulge 122 comprises a plurality ofstrip-shaped bulges 125 intersected with each other to form a net anddefine a plurality of holes 124. The metal layer 14 is located onsurfaces of the patterned bulge 122.

The carrier 10B is similar to the carrier 10 above except that thecarrier 10B further comprises a carbon nanotube composite structure 110located between the patterned bulge 122 and the metal layer 14. Themetal layer 14 entirely covers both the patterned bulge 122 and thecarbon nanotube composite structure 110. The carbon nanotube compositestructure 110 is located the top surface of the plurality ofstrip-shaped bulges 125.

The method for making the carrier 10B is similar to the method formaking the carrier 10A above except the step (S40A) is omitted. In oneembodiment, the carrier 10B is also used to detect single molecule.

The carbon nanotube composite structure 110 and the patterned bulge 122can form two layer of nano-scaled structure having the same pattern. Thecarbon nanotube composite structure 110 can further enhance theroughness of the top surfaces of the patterned bulge 122. Thus, the SERSof the carrier 10B will be further enhanced. Furthermore, the method formaking the carrier 10B would have a relatively lower cost and relativelyhigher efficiency, and cause less pollution because the step (S40A) ofremoving the carbon nanotube composite structure 110 is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 19, a device 1 for single molecule detection of oneembodiment is provided. The device 1 comprises a chamber 19, a carrier10 located in the chamber 19, a detection device 17 located outside ofthe chamber 19, and a controlling computer 15 connected to the detectiondevice 17.

The chamber 19 has an inputting hole 192 and an outputting hole 194. Thechamber 19 includes a transparent window on the wall between thedetection device 17 and the carrier 10. The patterned bulge 122 facesthe detection device 17 so that the light emitted from the detectiondevice 17 can reach the patterned bulge 122 of the carrier 10. In oneembodiment, the detection device 17 is a Raman spectra.

In works, the liquid flows in to the chamber 19 from the inputting hole192 and out of the chamber 19 from the outputting hole 194. Some of theliquid would be collected by the patterned bulge 122 and assembled onthe metal layer 14. In one embodiment, the flow direction issubstantially parallel to the substrate 12. The detection device 17 emitlight to detect the liquid assembled on the metal layer 14, obtain adetection result, and send the detection result to the controllingcomputer 15. The controlling computer 15 receives and analyzes thedetection result. Thus, the liquid flowed through the chamber 19 can bemonitored in real-time.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are intendedto illustrate rather than limit the disclosure. Any elements describedin accordance with any embodiments is understood that they can be usedin addition or substituted in other embodiments. Embodiments can also beused together. Variations may be made to the embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosure. The above-describedembodiments illustrate the scope of the disclosure but do not restrictthe scope of the disclosure.

Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps of methods describedmay be removed, others may be added, and the sequence of steps may bealtered. It is also to be understood that the description and the claimsdrawn to a method may include some indication in reference to certainsteps. However, the indication used is only to be viewed foridentification purposes and not as a suggestion as to an order for thesteps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrier for single molecule detection, thecarrier comprising: a substrate; and a metal layer located on thesubstrate; wherein the substrate comprises a base and a patterned bulgelocated on a surface of the base, the patterned bulge comprises aplurality of strip-shaped bulges intersected with each other to form anet and define a plurality of holes, and the metal layer is located onthe patterned bulge.
 2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofstrip-shaped bulges comprises a plurality of first strip-shaped bulgesand a plurality of second strip-shaped bulges, the plurality of firststrip-shaped bulges are substantially parallel with each other andextends along a first direction, and the plurality of secondstrip-shaped bulges are substantially parallel with each other andextends along a second direction different from the first direction. 3.The carrier of claim 2, wherein an angle between the first direction andthe second direction is greater than 30 degrees an less than or equal to90 degrees.
 4. The carrier of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofstrip-shaped bulges has a width in a range from about 20 nanometers toabout 150 nanometers and a height in a range from about 50 nanometers toabout 1000 nanometers, and a distance between adjacent two of theplurality of strip-shaped bulges is in a range from about 10 nanometersto about 300 nanometers.
 5. The carrier of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of strip-shaped bulges has a width in a range from about 20nanometers to about 50 nanometers and a height in a range from about 500nanometers to about 1000 nanometers, and a distance between adjacent twoof the plurality of strip-shaped bulges is in a range from about 10nanometers to about 50 nanometers.
 6. The carrier of claim 1, whereinthe metal layer is a continuous structure.
 7. The carrier of claim 6,wherein the metal layer covers entire surface of the patterned bulge. 8.The carrier of claim 1, wherein the metal layer is a discontinuousstructure.
 9. The carrier of claim 8, wherein the metal layer is locatedonly on side surfaces of the plurality of strip-shaped bulges and bottomsurfaces of the plurality of holes.
 10. The carrier of claim 1, whereina thickness of the metal layer is in a range from about 2 nanometers toabout 200 nanometers.
 11. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the metallayer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of gold,silver, copper, iron, nickel, and aluminum.
 12. The carrier of claim 1,further comprising a carbon nanotube composite structure located betweenthe metal layer and the patterned bulge.
 13. The carrier of claim 12,wherein the carbon nanotube composite structure is located on topsurfaces of the patterned bulge.
 14. The carrier of claim 12, whereinthe carbon nanotube composite structure and the patterned bulge have thesame pattern.
 15. The carrier of claim 12, wherein the carbon nanotubecomposite structure comprises a carbon nanotube structure and aprotective layer coated on the carbon nanotube structure, and the carbonnanotube structure comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes intersectedwith each other.
 16. The carrier of claim 15, wherein the protectivelayer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal,metal oxide, metal nitride, metal carbide, metal sulfide, silicon oxide,silicon nitride, and silicon carbide.
 17. The carrier of claim 15,wherein the carbon nanotube structure comprises first carbon nanotubefilm and a second carbon nanotube film stacked with each other, thefirst carbon nanotube film comprises a plurality of first carbonnanotubes joined end to end and arranged along a third direction, andthe second carbon nanotube film comprises a plurality of second carbonnanotubes joined end to end and arranged along a fourth directiondifferent from the third direction.